|
Travel Briefs
Star-Bulletin staff
|
Search for whales aboard Navatek
Atlantis Navatek Cruises is offering its popular Whale Watch Lunch Cruise from Dec. 20 through April 6, 2008, aboard the Navatek I.
The relaxing 2 1/2 hour mid-day cruise carries guests along the picturesque Diamond Head and East Oahu shoreline and features a lunch buffet with the guarantee: "See a whale or sail again for free!"
Navatek I provides a smooth ride through its SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) double-hulled technology, which lifts its passenger compartment above the ocean surface, limiting wave action against the vessel.
The 140-foot Navatek I comfortably seats 300 guests and offers spacious upper and lower outdoor observation decks, along with two interior dining areas that are carpeted, air-conditioned and have large picture windows to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
An onboard expert naturalist helps guests search for humpbacks while providing insightful commentary about their behavior and characteristics. If the naturalist does not see a humpback during the cruise, all guests are offered a complimentary return whale watch cruise (lunch available for an additional fee).
The Whale Watch Lunch Cruise will be offered daily from noon to 2:30 p.m., Thursday through April 6, 2008, and departs from Pier 6 at Aloha Tower Marketplace.
The cost is $62 for adults, $31 for ages 2 through 12, and includes the lunch buffet and complimentary round-trip ground transportation from Waikiki. Prices do not include the harbor fee and general excise tax.
For information, call 973-1311 or visit www.atlantissubmarines.com.
Technology gives travel personal touch
Aloha Airlines is going high-tech, having chosen IBM to expand its customer service offerings.
IBM's self-service Web and next generation IBM kiosks incorporate 17-inch touch screens, passport readers, barcode scanners, overhead LCD displays and more, giving travelers more options for using the Web as well as kiosks to check-in without waiting and check baggage.
Aloha customers will be able to select onboard amenities such as in-flight meals, group check-in, purchase of paid upgrades, and frequent flyer account management.
In addition, the system will allow for the retrieval of passenger records by bar code scan from itinerary or passenger loyalty card.
The ATA fare sale is on
ATA is presenting its Hawaii Sale, with low fares for travel to and from the islands through March 7, 2008, from nearly 50 cities served directly by ATA Airlines or though codeshare service provided by Southwest Airlines.
Some off-peak, one-way coach sample fares include:
» Los Angeles tofrom Honolulu, $134
» Las Vegas tofrom Maui, $169
» Reno tofrom Kona, $209
» Salt Lake City tofrom Maui, $239
Check out the details on www.ata.com. Tickets cost $10 more if purchased by phone at ATA reservations centers or ATA ticket counters.)
Bookings will be taken through Tuesday. Fares are non-refundable.
